Warning for Windows 7 and 8 users

[Alan Taylor]

Sneaky Microsoft...

If you use Windows Update beware - the list of "Optional Updates" now includes one for "Upgrade to Windows 10 Home" and THE CHECKBOX IS ALREADY TICKED.

If you don't want Windows 10 (or if you don't want it yet) then make sure to look at the list of Optional Updates and uncheck that box before updating, then "right click" on Upgrades to Windows 10 Home and click on "Hide Update".

[JimN]

I downloaded and installed the Windows 10 upgrade (from Windows 7) whilst I was in the USA recently.

On the hotel's wifi (fairly slow), it took the best part of twelve hours!

But the good news is that the little netbook works better with W10 than it did with W7.

[Fenderman]

I've switched off automatic updates on W7, i don't want 10 just yet.

[iefje]

I will not switch to Windows 10 either just yet, because in my experience, the initial releases of a new Windows version have always been unstable because of a lot of bugs. That's typically Microsoft, let an operating system develop itself from unstable to (fairly) stable while it has already been sold to customers, a crime really...

[Didier]

I have recently assembled myself a new desktop PC (the previous one with XP Pro wasn't powerful enough for video processing) and installed W7 Ultimate. I keep receiving MS messages proposing me to install W10, but I ignore them.

Didier

[Fenderman]

Why do Microsoft force things on people? Let them decide if the want W10 or not!

[iefje]

Simple: to make money. Also, new versions of Windows have always been more 'hardware-demanding', in other words, users have to buy new hardware for their computer just to be able to run the new version of the operating system. Another neat trick to force people into buying the newest Windows version is to stop supporting the older Windows versions with updates and patches.

[UlrichS]

I have Windows 7 running on my computers and receive the Microsoft message about installing Windows 10 regularly. However, this is voluntarily and I am by no means forced to do so (for the next future until the support for Win 7 will end) nor is this done automatically.

Windows 10 certainly had severe problems with the first update (computers not booting after installing this update) but this looks like being solved.
My problem is that I don't know whether the software I am running on my PCs is still running under Windows 10. My wife got a laptop with Windows 8 pre-installed some time ago. When I wanted to install the Office 2000 Professional (for which I have a license) a message popped up that this version is too old and I would have to buy a new one. For Office versions including Access this is rather expensive. From this experience I have not made up my mind yet regarding Windows 10.

A point pro Windows 10, the update from Windows 7 or 8 is free for at least 6 months! Imagine you have bought a car two or three years ago and the new model is out now ... and your dealer offers you to exchange your used car free against the new model within half a year!

I have looked for alternatives. I have tried Linux but have returned to Windows because of missing software for my purpose and performance issues. OS from Apple is too expensive not only regarding the hardware (excellent quality and performance) but there is not much software available outside of Apple. Conclusion for me: I still don't like Windows but I can't get along without.

Ulrich

[MartcasterJunior]

ALL operating system manufacturers cease support after a while because they have to develop new software to take advantage of new technologies. That's why Windows 3.11 doesn't work on new computers - it can't. They can't keep supporting old versions just because a handful of people can't or won't upgrade - support costs money and after a while it doesn't become economically viable.

[Didier]

ALL operating system manufacturers cease support after a while because they have to develop new software to take advantage of new technologies.

And above all, to have something new to sell. This is called "planned obsolescence" !

Didier